Sam Hunt is a chart topping rockstar when it comes to making hit-after-hit. He’s also known for writing a few songs for other artists that we’re all very familiar with. He had the perfect stage presence when he owned the platform as a part of The Big Revival tour this summer. And after touring with headlining superstar Kenny Chesney all summer long, Sam was ready to take the stage by himself and did just that at a recent show at Mohegan Sun. Any artist who plays at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut knows that it isn’t the largest venue to play at. However, the setting provides for an intimate concert feel and the artist must know how to play off of their surroundings, which Sam did and more.
Hunt opened his performance with the dually noted ‘Leave The Night On,’ which was performed with great energy, followed by the ever so popular ‘Ex To See.’ After those two songs, Hunt stopped to address his crowd: “It’s so good to be hangin’ out with y’all this evening. I want you to sing, dance, kick back, and do whatever makes you feel good! We’re gonna have a good time!” And it was a good time he gave us. Up next was ‘Raised On It’ with videos of bears wrestling in the background projected behind him. He stopped again, but this time to show gratitude: “We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this possible, but these are the boys who make it happen!” before he introduced his band members.
The next two songs were off of his online mixtape when he was first starting out; ‘Saturday Night’ and a guitar rendition of ‘I Met A Girl’ – a song that William Michael Morgan recently brought to the top of the charts. Saying wholeheartedly, Hunt recognized the state of Connecticut in telling the fans that “this was the very first place we traveled to 3 years ago. We drove up the east coast and came to Connecticut with big dreams. This part of the country has been the most receptive to our music and you guys made us feel like we were welcome and always had a home to come back to!”
The sixth song of his set was a song that became an instant hit back when it was released in 2014. He performed ‘Take Your Time’ with a huge smile across his face, moving about the stage non-stop and interacting with his fans more than ever. Song number seven was ‘We Are Tonight’ with a shoutout to Billy Currington, who recorded the song, right before the instrumentals started. “This song helped put the gas in the van when we made that very first trip here. Billy Currington, wherever you are, thank you for getting us here!”
To break down the middle of his set, he chatted with the fans a little bit with a short conversation: “I’ve learned that there are so many country fans all over the world! How many country music fans are here?” This brought a huge reaction of cheers from the crowd. Sam was smiling ear to ear and between laughter said “I already knew that answer before I asked you!” To continue with the conversation; Hunt stated “I’m a huge Kenny Chesney fan and playing 30 minutes to open for him was amazing, but now we’re thankful we get to play a little longer tonight for y’all!” This was followed by more cheers from the crowd.
The next few songs were set aside for an acoustic band sing-along consisting of some of the biggest songs on country radio over the past year or so. Sam and his band performed ‘Somewhere On A Beach’ by Dierks Bentley, ‘T-Shirt’ by Thomas Rhett, ‘My Church’ by Marren Morris, ‘You Should Be Here’ by Cole Swindell, ‘Huntin’, Fishin’, Lovin’ Everyday’ by Luke Bryan and lastly, ‘Snapback’ by Old Dominion. Before they performed ‘Snapback’ Hunt said, “I am so proud of Old Dominion. I’m gonna play their song that you all probably know, sing the first part with me!” and the hums from the entire crowd of the opening of ‘Snapback’ began. Hunt took the time to do these songs to dedicate them to country music fans everywhere because country music has no limits. He explained that country fans are all over the world and each type of country genre is appreciated today.
‘Cop Car’ was next on the setlist and Sam revealed the story behind it. “I find myself getting into these troublesome situations and I wanted something to do. So I took this girl and we snuck into the back of an airport runway and the next thing I knew I was in the back of a cop car,” he said smiling.
To bring the pace back up he performed his fun and catchy ‘House Party.’ To play off of the intimacy of the Mohegan Sun arena, Hunt went into the crowd and interacted with the fans in the back of the arena. He was running through the aisles, singing and dancing. He finally stood on top of a ledge connected to the back row seats and got the whole place rocking and everyone hyped up. It was a huge crowd sing along to the chorus of the song and everyone was on their feet.
Song number twelve was his newest single put to radio- ‘Make You Miss Me.’ Sam sat down in front a piano and performed this number. The crowd was swaying and when directed by Sam to shine their phone lights- the whole place was lit up like stars. Coming to a close in his performance; Sam concluded in saying “Thank y’all Connecticut, you’re awesome!! Now where’s my all my small town people?!” And the last song he performed was nonetheless ‘Break Up In A Small Town.’
Sam Hunt’s performance at Mohegan Sun was the perfect glimpse into his future of touring. His connection to his fans is undeniable and his concerts are more than fun. He stressed the fact that he wanted his fans to have fun, and there is no doubt that they did after his performance. He can play off of his surroundings and off of the crowd’s reaction. Hunt puts on a great show, and will be a must-see if he comes around in 2017!
Photos Credit: Khoi Ton/Mohegan Sun